With Super Bowl Sunday now in the books, the NFL’s attention shifts from confetti showers to front office strategy. The road to the 2026 season starts now, and the next few months are packed with key dates that will shape rosters across the league. From the NFL Combine to the Draft in Pittsburgh, here’s a look at what lies ahead-and what it all means, especially for a Steelers team entering a new era.
Feb. 23 - March 2: NFL Combine (Indianapolis)
It’s not game day, but the Combine is where draft season truly kicks into high gear. This is where scouts, coaches, and GMs get their first up-close look at the incoming rookie class.
From 40-yard dashes to position drills, official measurements to team interviews, every detail gets scrutinized. And while it’s easy to get caught up in the highlight-reel athleticism, this week is just as much about medicals, intangibles, and how prospects handle themselves in interviews.
For teams building their draft boards, the Combine is a crucial puzzle piece. It’s not the be-all and end-all, but it can confirm what the tape shows-or raise new questions.
March 3: Franchise Tag Deadline
The window to apply the franchise tag opens on Feb. 17 and closes at 4 p.m. EST on March 3.
While the Steelers aren’t expected to use the tag this year, moves made across the league will ripple into the free agent market. A tagged player in another city could mean one less big name hitting the open market-and one less option for teams looking to make a splash.
March 9-11: Legal Tampering Period
This is when the real action starts-unofficially, at least. Beginning at noon EST on March 9, teams can start negotiating with free agents, even though deals can't be signed until the new league year begins. But make no mistake: this 48-hour window is when most of the major deals get done.
Expect a flurry of reports, rumors, and rapid-fire agreements. For fans, it’s the NFL’s version of speed dating-fast, chaotic, and full of surprises.
March 11: New League Year Begins
At 4 p.m. EST on March 11, the NFL calendar flips to 2026.
That means expiring contracts officially come off the books, trades can be finalized, and those tampering-period deals can be signed. It’s the true starting gun for free agency and roster reshuffling.
April 6: Steelers Begin Offseason Workouts
Because the Steelers are breaking in a new head coach, they get a two-week head start on offseason workouts. That extra time could be critical as the team installs new systems, builds chemistry, and sets the tone for what they hope will be a new chapter of success.
April 17: Restricted Free Agent Offer Sheet Deadline
This is the last day for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets with other teams. For Pittsburgh, that includes outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon, center Ryan McCollum, punter Corliss Waitman, and defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo. If another team comes calling, this is the window when it has to happen.
April 22: Deadline for Right of First Refusal & Draft Visits
If any of the Steelers’ RFAs sign an offer sheet elsewhere, April 22 is the final day the team can match it and retain the player. It’s also the last day teams can host draft-eligible prospects for visits-a key part of the pre-draft evaluation process.
April 23-25: 2026 NFL Draft (Pittsburgh)
The Draft is coming to the Steel City, and the spotlight will be shining squarely on Pittsburgh. Over three days, 32 teams will make hundreds of picks that will shape the league for years to come. The Steelers currently hold the 21st overall pick and are projected to have 12 total selections-a stockpile that gives them flexibility and firepower.
As usual, Round 1 takes place on Thursday night, followed by Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday, and the always-hectic Rounds 4 through 7 on Saturday.
With a new coaching staff and a deep draft class, this could be a pivotal weekend for the franchise’s long-term trajectory.
May 1: Fifth-Year Option Deadline for 2023 First-Rounders
This is the deadline for teams to exercise the fifth-year option on players drafted in the first round of 2023. For the Steelers, that means a decision on left tackle Broderick Jones.
If they pick up the option, he’s under contract through 2027. If not, he’ll be set to hit free agency after the 2026 season.
From now until the Draft, every move matters. Whether it’s locking down a free agent, evaluating a Combine standout, or navigating the complexities of RFA rules, teams are laying the foundation for what’s to come. And for the Steelers, with a new coach at the helm and a draft in their own backyard, the next few months could be the start of something big.